Well, I gave it a try, but it just hasn't worked out. The account I'm on is fantastic. Take the load from the dedicated shipper to the delivery, unload and deadhead back. I've had runs that were just shy of 900 miles one way, which means the same mileage running empty. The pay is good, as well.
The problem is that my body just can't handle it. I've been driving 12 years total. In that 12 years, the last 9 have been running a dry van, with no-touch freight. That alone makes the body weak. Couple that with the fact that I'm no longer 25 years ago (add 20 to that, in fact) along with my arthritis and, well, you get the picture...
I'm sitting in Easton, PA waiting to unload right now. I have 3 straps left to pull off the load, then deadhead back to Buckhannon, WV to empty out the truck. I already have my next job lined up, with all of the paperwork and drug test completed. I'll be going back to W.S. Thomas out of Fairmont, WV. They're not a great company, but they're a pretty decent bunch of people to work for. When I called them and said I was wondering if they were hiring, they instantly said yes and would start me immediately. When I walked in the door to update my paperwork, everyone there remembered me from when I worked there 2 1/2 years ago, including the company owner, who you rarely saw anyway.
If there's anyone that's looking for a dedicated flatbed position out of central WV, this account is a great one. Work Monday thru Friday, always ship from the same location, Weyerhauser, hauling LVL beams. They just hired a new driver out of PA, north of Pittsburgh, so they've opened up the hiring area. Sadly, though, they hired him with zero flatbed experience. His flatbed training was done at a location that uses roll-back tarp trailers, not actually learning how to tarp his load. They also just took delivery of 2 Cascadia's with Tripac's installed.
Anyway, to the guys that run flatbed, my hat's off to you. You do a tough job.